Women in Sagnarigu reap benefits of focused postpartum care

She indicated that by fostering a sense of camaraderie, “whenever one has a problem they fall on other members of the group for support”.

The Project Coordinator said the project has been encouraging participants to prioritize financial stability before embarking on subsequent pregnancies, something she said resulted in the formation of saving and loans associations among the group of women.

Participant Testimonials

Thirty-six-year-old Abdul Rahim Salamatu, who is 11-month-old in the project, is one of the mothers who has benefited from the family planning education provided by the Focused-PPC project.

But through the programme’s series of sessions on postpartum care, she gained knowledge that helped her make the right decision for herself and her children by opting for the implanon family planning method.

“I had heard so much about family planning, but the negativity outweighed the positives, so I decided never to take family planning.

However, through the programme, she learned all about the different options available and discovered that they are safe and effective.

Fakiha’s newfound knowledge didn’t just benefit her alone; she also shared it with a friend who was experiencing bleeding while on family planning.

Thanks to the education and support she has through the programme, she is now able to make informed choices about her reproductive health and enjoy a fulfilling and happy relationship with her husband.

For Haruna Kusumi, her journey with family planning began with misconceptions that are widespread in rural Ghana especially.

These beliefs made her hesitant in opting for a family planning method until she joined the Focused-PPC programme.

Through the education provided in the sessions, she learned that family planning allows families to space the number of children they want to have in their lifetime and prevent unwanted and unplanned pregnancies.

She was amazed to find out that family planning can positively impact her life as a trader, as it allows her to focus on her business while also being assured that no unplanned pregnancies would occur.

Madam Kusumi’s story shows how misconceptions and lack of knowledge can affect individuals’ decisions on family planning.

She explained that she feels more empowered now than ever because the Focused-PPC project has provided her with the right education to make informed decisions about family planning and reproductive health in general.

The Focused-PPC project has also shown great strides in the areas of nutrition, breastfeeding, and social support.